Linux on MacBook Pro 2019

New Member

is there any Linux distribution which does already support the hardware of the newer MacBook Models, especially the MacBook Pro 2019? Every Linux I booted on my MacBook didn't support keyboard, trackpad or Wifi. I connected a keyboard and mouse via USB, but that was still quite useless because then the WiFi still doesn't work.

So shortly: I need to know if there is a Linux distribution which supports keyboard, trackpad and wifi of the MacBooks of 2019.

Well-Known Member

i've read people installing slackware on macbooks before. Stable slackware is very old but current might be worth a go. Now if you boot an OS from a usb stick i.e LIVE; its still using hardware so what you see using a live OS for a distro should give you a very good idea, what that os would be if it was installed.

New Member

i've read people installing slackware on macbooks before. Stable slackware is very old but current might be worth a go. Now if you boot an OS from a usb stick i.e LIVE; its still using hardware so what you see using a live OS for a distro should give you a very good idea, what that os would be if it was installed.

New Member

Ubuntu and fedora are at least both booting, but keyboard, trackpad and wifi doesn't work with any of them.

I have seen one or two posts, where they explain how to install the drivers for network or trackpad and keyboard. But i am a total noob in linux so doing all this stuff on my own is almost impossible for me. I just wanted a linux which works out of the box on my mac to explore it and get used to it. But it seems like i need a second Notebook or Desktop PC to use Linux.

it might be worth a little bit more of a try; my limited understanding on the hostory of Mac was that it used some sort of unix derivative. Slackware is described as probably the most unix like " of linux distro , so there is a good chance it might work.

i'm downloading 64 bit myself at 2.0MB sec it looks like total time about 6 minutes and my internet is rubbish

New Member

Thank you, that's what i was trying to download. I'll let it download now, let's see how long it takes. I started the download again, and it downloaded like 10 MB with 400 KB/s and it decreases continuously. Atm it's at 140 KB/s. Let's see

THOUGHTS FOR APRIL 2020 1. broken shoulder will take weeks to mend. 2. ON AV - nothing is bulletproof, but i wear kevlar - i use linux. 3. Still Beer o'clock where I live . Come and have a sing-along at Rock Roxx

THOUGHTS FOR APRIL 2020 1. broken shoulder will take weeks to mend. 2. ON AV - nothing is bulletproof, but i wear kevlar - i use linux. 3. Still Beer o'clock where I live . Come and have a sing-along at Rock Roxx

New Member

is there any Linux distribution which does already support the hardware of the newer MacBook Models, especially the MacBook Pro 2019? Every Linux I booted on my MacBook didn't support keyboard, trackpad or Wifi. I connected a keyboard and mouse via USB, but that was still quite useless because then the WiFi still doesn't work.

So shortly: I need to know if there is a Linux distribution which supports keyboard, trackpad and wifi of the MacBooks of 2019.

Linux Mint 19. Hands down the best for Mac. Works flawlessly and will not give you any problems with your Mac. I use it on Macs from 2015-2020. I've tried dozens of linux distros. Make sure when you install Linux to select the box that says install third party drivers and software. This option will appear on one of the install screens as you are installing Linux.

New Member

Linux Mint 19. Hands down the best for Mac. Works flawlessly and will not give you any problems with your Mac. I use it on Macs from 2015-2020. I've tried dozens of linux distros. Make sure when you install Linux to select the box that says install third party drivers and software. This option will appear on one of the install screens as you are installing Linux.

New Member

Linux Mint 19. Hands down the best for Mac. Works flawlessly and will not give you any problems with your Mac. I use it on Macs from 2015-2020. I've tried dozens of linux distros. Make sure when you install Linux to select the box that says install third party drivers and software. This option will appear on one of the install screens as you are installing Linux.

Well-Known Member

I don't know about a 2019 MacBook but when I installed Linux on a 2009 MacBook I had to adjust the keyboard layout via the selections dialog. I had to set it to something weird which, unfortunately, I cannot recall at this time. The odd thing was the keyboard worked fine when running from a "Live USB" but worked all 'crazy' when installed :/

New Member

Have you considered running Linux as a virtual machine under VMWare Fusion, Plesk, VirtualBox or other hypervisor. In the case of VMWare Fusion, all Macs launched in 2011 or later are supported except 2012 Mac Pro “Quad Core”. That puts VMWare on the hook for making the keyboard and trackpad work for any linux you install. Free trial is available at https://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/fusion-evaluation.html

I have no relationship with VMWare, except I bought fusion a few years ago.